Grado HP100 SE

The Grado Signature HP100 SE represents the pinnacle of the Brooklyn-based brand’s audio expertise. This high-end open-back wired headphone combines artisanal heritage with technological innovations to deliver an exceptional listening experience. Designed to commemorate the centenary of founder Joseph Grado, this model pushes the boundaries of sound fidelity while introducing modern features unprecedented for the brand.

A Tribute to Grado’s Legacy

The HP100 SE follows in the footsteps of Grado’s legendary Signature headphones while marking a significant evolution. This model pays homage to the Signature HP1 from the 1990s, considered one of the pioneers of high-end audiophile headphones. However, the HP100 SE does not merely replicate the past. It incorporates cutting-edge technologies to meet the demands of contemporary audiophiles.

Grado’s philosophy, centered on uncompromising sound quality and artisanal craftsmanship, remains at the heart of this new flagship. Each HP100 SE is hand-assembled in the historic Brooklyn workshop, ensuring an exceptional level of finish and quality control. This artisanal approach, rare in today’s industry, contributes to the product’s uniqueness and excellence.

A Design Combining Tradition and Modernity

The HP100 SE features a design that respects Grado’s characteristic aesthetic while updating it. The housings are individually machined from specially treated aluminum, offering both lightness and rigidity. This construction enhances sound purity by minimizing unwanted resonances. The model name is finely engraved on the outer surface, emphasizing the premium status of this headphone.

The space gray finish adds a touch of contemporary elegance while staying true to the brand’s traditional simplicity. This unique aesthetic choice allows the HP100 SE to subtly stand out from other Grado models while maintaining a timeless look.

The headband has been completely redesigned to improve comfort during long listening sessions. It features 50% more padding than previous Grado models, better distributing the headphone’s weight across the head. This focus on ergonomics demonstrates Grado’s commitment to combining sound performance with user comfort.

Cutting-Edge Sound Technology

At the heart of the HP100 SE are new 52mm dynamic drivers, specially designed for this model. These miniature speakers incorporate several technical innovations:

• A composite paper cone, offering an optimal balance between rigidity and lightness
• A high-flux magnetic circuit, ensuring increased responsiveness and precision
• A copper-plated aluminum voice coil, reducing moving mass while optimizing conductivity

This technological combination allows the HP100 SE to achieve exceptional resolution in high frequencies, natural midrange reproduction, and energetic yet controlled bass. Distortion is kept at an extremely low level, even at high volumes, preserving the purity of the audio signal.

The headphone’s open-back design, a Grado signature, helps create a wide and airy soundstage. This approach promotes a more natural reproduction of spatial sound, akin to listening to speakers in an acoustically treated room.

Comfort Designed for Long Listening Sessions

In addition to its redesigned headband, the HP100 SE features removable ear pads made from specially selected foam for its acoustic properties. This material offers a balance between isolation, breathability, and comfort. Optimized airflow helps maintain a pleasant temperature, even after several hours of use.

The headphone comes with two pairs of interchangeable ear pads: the G-type, more enveloping, and the F-style, thinner. This option allows users to adjust comfort and sound signature according to their preferences.

Despite its high-end construction, the HP100 SE remains relatively lightweight for its category, reducing fatigue during extended listening sessions. The balance between premium materials and advanced technologies results in a high-performing headphone that is not excessively heavy.

Redesigned Connectivity for Greater Versatility

The HP100 SE marks a major evolution in the Grado range by introducing detachable cables for the first time. This feature, long requested by audiophiles, offers several advantages:

• Easy cable replacement in case of wear or damage
• Flexibility to use different types of connections (balanced, unbalanced)
• Potential for future upgrades with high-end aftermarket cables

The included cable is a 12-conductor model, specifically designed for the HP100 SE. It features a soft and durable braided sheath, reducing friction noise and improving handling. The connection to the headphone is made via 4-pin mini-XLR plugs, ensuring reliable and durable contact.

On the source side, the cable ends with a gold-plated 6.3mm jack, ensuring optimal compatibility with audiophile amplifiers. Grado plans to offer additional cable options in the future, including 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm balanced jack terminations, further expanding connectivity possibilities with various high-end equipment.

Technical Specifications

Acoustic Specifications

• Transducer type: dynamic
• Operating principle: open design
• Frequency response: 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz
• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): < 0.1% at 100 dB
• Sound pressure level: 117 dB / 1 mW
• Transducer matching: 0.04 dB

Physical Specifications

• Nominal impedance: 38 Ω
• Transducer size: 52 mm
• Included earpads: G-type earpads and F-style earpads

Connectivity

• Cable type: 12-conductor, detachable
• Headphone connection: 4-pin Mini XLR
• Source connection: 6.3 mm jack